Praying For Courage

We need courage today to stand our ground as believers because it seems like many people are losing their grip on reality.  Back when Jesus walked the earth the believers needed courage also, if we are true believers we need to be strong and courageous.  The true body of Christ is under attack from many sources and tribulation and persecution are on the rise.  Jesus said this, “In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”

Now read 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Jesus suffered also, but He overcame, despite what He had to suffer.  In fact, the Word says that Jesus learned obedience through suffering and we know that He suffered much at the hands of His enemies.  We need to be praying for boldness to be bold as a lion, gentle as a dove and wise as a serpent.  We need to pray for true love, not the kind that’s just lip service; but the kind of love that proves it by its action or by what it does.  We all need boldness to stand for the truth even if it cost us something.

We need to be wise as a serpent so that we won’t be deceived by the enemy’s tactics and we also need to be gentle and humble while speaking the Word of God so as to win those that hear the truth.  And remember this, unless the Lord build the house we labor in vain that build it and I believe that also means ministries also.

That is why it is important to pray and seek the Lord’s help in all of these areas and in every area of our lives.  We need also to pray that our faith won’t fail us in these last days and that we won’t shrink back in times of testing or whatever may befall us.   

I don’t want to leave out what may be the most important thing of all and that is we need to thank and praise the Lord for who He is and what He is and what He has done and for what He is going to do.  And remember this, we do this because we know that He is worthy.  And let me say this, instead of always seeking His hands, for the most part we need to seek His heart, then we can seek His hands for answers to prayers.

Peter and John had been responsible for praying for a lame beggar and the man was healed, which was a good thing.  Their problem was they did it in Jesus’ name which made it a big problem with the Pharisees who commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, or Yeshua.  This was their reply, read Acts 4:19-20, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

After Peter and John were threatened again by these Pharisees, because they could find no way to punish them, they let them go on account of the people, because they were glorifying God for what had happened, for the man who had the miracle of healing was over 40 years old.  Read what Peter and John did and the prayer they prayed for boldness in Acts 4:23-30, “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

Now read what happened after they prayed in verse 31 in that same chapter, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Praying for boldness and also for all the things that I mentioned earlier in this Tidbit is very important.  Like I said it is important that we pray for boldness so that we will not shrink back in any situation we find ourselves in.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is worthy!!  My prayer is that this Tidbit has been a blessing and an encouragement to you all!!